Sealing devices for grooves between structural blocks



A. F. CRONE Oct. 4, 1966 SEALING DEVICES FOR GROOVES BETWEEN STRUCTURAL BLOCKS Filed April 16, 1964 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Z mvENToR BY L g ATTORNEYS.

Oct. 4, 1966 A. F. CRONE 3,276,336

SEALING DEVICES FOR GROOVES BETWEEN STRUCTURAL BLOCKS Filed April 16, 1964 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 A TORNEYS.

United States Patent 3,276,336 SEALING DEVICES FOR GRGOVES BETWEEN STRUCTURAL BLUCKS Alfred F. Crone, Williamsville, N.Y., assignor to Acme Highway Products Corporation, Buffalo, N.Y. Filed Apr. 16, 1964, Ser. No. 360,249 6 Claims. (Cl. 9418) This invention relates to the sealing of grooves formed between adjacent blocks or slabs of concrete or other building material, particularly to seals for blocks or slabs exposed to variations in temperature causing expansion and contraction of the same and resulting in variations in the width of grooves between such blocks or slabs.

One of the objects of this invention is to provide a sealing member of improved construction which is particularly effective for use in grooves of more than average width.

Another object is to provide 'a seal of this type of hollow tubular form having internal, diagonally extending webs or cross bars positioned to urge the sides of the seal outwardly into contact with the sides of the groove.

It is also an object to provide a seal of this type with a longitudinal middle wall between two sets of diagonal webs to ensure proper folding of the webs when the seal is subjected to lateral pressure.

A further object is to provide a seal of this type with an outer or top wall which is so constructed and connected with the diagonally extending webs that when pressure is applied to the sides of the seal, the top wall will be prevented from extending outwardly above the upper or outer edge of the groove.

In the accompanying drawings:

FIG. 1 is a sectional view of the two blocks or slabs having a seal embodying my invention applied thereto, and showing the seal in compressed condition.

FIG. 2 is an end view of the seal shown in FIG. 1, removed from the groove.

FIG. 3 is a sectional view of a seal of modified construction compressed in a groove of another type.

FIG. 4 is an end view of the seal shown in FIG. 3, removed from the groove.

FIG. 5 is a fragmentary, transverse section showing a groove between two blocks or slabs with inwardly extending shoulders formed integral therewith.

In the particular embodiment of my invention shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, and 11 represent two adjacent structural blocks such, for example, as pavement slabs, which are spaced apart to form between them a groove 12 of sufficient width to compensate for variations in the dimensions of the blocks or slabs 10 and 11, due to variations in temperature.

This groove is closed by means of a sealing member 14 embodying this invention, this sealing member being expansible and contractable in width in accordance with variations in the width of the groove. This sealing member includes side walls 15 and 16 which are substantially parallel and straight from end to end. The upper edges of the side walls are connected by means of a top wall 17, the opposite sides of which slope downwardly toward the middle of the sealing strip and thus form a depressed middle portion 18 which is so formed that when the sides of the sealing member are pressed toward each other, as shown in FIG. 1, the top wall will fold downwardly into the sealing member to avoid extending above the top surface of the blocks or slabs 10 and 11.

The lower edges of the side walls are connected to a bottom wall, that shown having two V-shaped sections 20 and 21 connected together at the middle portion of the sealing member. The top and bottom walls are integrally connected with the side walls, thus forming a tubular structure.

The interior of the sealing member is provided with a "ice plurality of diagonally extending cross bars. formed integral with the side walls and top and bottom walls of the sealing strip. These cross bars include two short bars 23 and 24 which extend upwardly at an angle from the opposite side walls 15 and 16 to the top wall at distances from the middle portion thereof. There is also provided a pair of longer cross bars 25 and 26 which extend from the top wall adjacent to the upper ends of the short walls 23 and 24 downwardly at an angle to the side walls 15 and 16 and formed integral therewith. I have also provided another pair of diagonally extending cross bars 27 and 28 which extend from the middle portion of the bottom wall upwardly at an angle to the side walls. All of the interior cross bars are formed integral with each other and with the walls of the sealing member and exert outward pressure against the side walls when these side walls are pressed toward each other.

I have also provided an intermediate wall 30 which is arranged approximately midway of the side walls and extends from the middle portion of the bottom wall to the intersection of the cross bars 25 and 26 so that the intermediate wall terminates short of the top wall and leaves a space between the middle portion of the top and the intermediate wall 30 into which the inner portions of the top wall may fold when the side walls are pressed toward each other, as shown in FIG. 1. It will be noted that this intermediate Wall has the important function of connecting the bottom wall of the seal with the top wall through the upper intersecting portions of the cross bars 25 and 26. Consequently, when the side walls of the sealing member are pressed toward each other, the intermediate wall 30 through its connection with the top wall will ensure the downward folding of the middle portion to the top wall, so that none of the sealing strip will extend above the upper surfaces of the blocks or slabs 10 and 11.

When the sealing strip is pressed into the groove between the two block or slabs 10 and 11, it is preferred to apply a coating of a cement to the inner faces of the sides of the groove, as shown at 33 in FIG. 1. This cement, while moist and freshly applied to the groove, acts as a lubricant to facilitate the insertion of the sealing member into the groove. The two downwardly extending V-shaped parts of the sealing member 20 and 21 greatly facilitate this correct insertion of the sealing member into a groove. This sealing member is particularly desirable for use in grooves which are wider than those in construction joints, such for example as those in expansion joints having a groove filler 39 in the lower part of the groove. However, the joint filler may be made in different widths for use in grooves of different sizes.

The particular construction of my sealing member shown in FIGS. 3 and 4 is particularly intended for use in sealing the grooves between two blocks or slabs 36 and 37 which, for example, may be employed in connection with the pavement of bridges. In such cases the upper edges of the grooves are preferably formed by means of angle bars 39 and 40. These bars are each arranged with one leg having its upper surface in the plane of the upper surface of the blocks or slabs 36 land 37. The other legs of the angle bars extend downwardly into the groove to form the upper parts of the opposite sides thereof. The angle bars may be held in correct relation to the slabs or blocks in any suitable manner, for example, by means of anchoring members 42, which may be made of rods each having one end thereof bent through approximately degrees, as shown at 44, to form hooks to prevent drawing the members out of the concrete. The other ends of these anchoring members are preferably screw threaded and formed to engage with nuts or cross bars 45 welded or otherwise secured to the angle bars adjacent to the intersection of the two legs of these bars. By means of this construction the angle bars are securely held in correct relation to the edge portions of the blocks or slabs and serve to reinforce the edges of these blocks or slabs and serve to reinforce the edges of these blocks or slabs and prevent spalling thereof.

In the particular construction shown for supporting a sealing member of the type shown in FIG. 4, in the groove between the two upwardly extending legs of the angle bars, I provide stop shoulders, which may be in the form of metal strips 50 welded to the legs of the angle bars and on which the bottom wall of the sealing strip may seat for holding the same in correct relation to the groove and facilitating the insertion of the sealing strip in the groove in correct relation slightly below the upper face of the blocks 35 and 37 and the angle bars 39 and 40. The shoulder strips 50 also constitute solid stops to positively prevent downward movement of the sealing strip into the groove below the desired position.

The sealing strip for use in connection with grooves of this kind is substantially identical with the sealing strip described in connection with FIGS. 1 and 2, and the top wall 51 and the internal structure are identical with the corresponding parts shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 except that the side walls 53 and 54 extend downwardly to a slightly greater extent and have their lower ends connected with foot portions 55 and 56 extending substantially horizontally from the side walls to the V-shaped parts 20 and 21 of the structure. By means of these substantially horizontal foot portions 55 and 56 and the stop shoulders 50, the correct location of the sealing strip in the groove is assured. The insertion of the sealing strip into the groove is facilitated by the application to the side walls of the groove of a combined lubricant and cement 57 which when set cements the sealing strip to the angle bars 39 and 40 of the groove. The advantages of the constructions of the sealing strip are similar to those described in connection with those in FIGS. 1 and 2.

In FIG. I have shown a pair of slabs or blocks 60 and 61 in which the upper portion of the groove 62 is of considerably greater width than the lower portion 63 thereof, thus forming stop shoulders 64 on which the foot portions 55 and 56 of the sealing member may rest. This construction shown in FIG. 5 eliminates the angle bars and the stop portions 50 shown in FIG. 3, but othe wise the construction shown in FIG. 5 cooperates with the sealing strip shown in FIGS. 3 and 4.

In the construction shown, the intermediate wall, by dividing the internal structure of the sealing devices into two groups, results in providing substantially uniform action of both groups and distributes the expansion of the sealing devices so that outward pressures exerted by the diagonal bars will be substantially equally applied to both side walls. Also the immediate wall forms a connection between the top and bottom walls through the upper parts of the cross bars 25 land 26 so that upward bulging of the top wall :above the pavement surface is positively prevented.

It will be understood that various changes in the details, materials and arrangements of parts which have been herein described and illustrated in order to explain the nature of the invention may be made by those skilled in the art within the principle and scope of the invention as expressed in the appended claims,

I claim:

1. A sealing strip for sealing a groove between adjacent edge faces of rigid blocks that are subject to expansion and contraction with ambient temperature variations, which comprises an elongated, tubular, integral body of elastomeric material having approximately parallel side walls with outer faces that are approximately straight,

top and bottom walls connecting with the upper and lower edges of said side walls,

a plurality of interior crossing and interconnected,

straight, diagonally extending cross bars,

some of said cross bars connecting said top wall with said side walls,

and other of said cross bars connecting said bottom wall with said side walls, and

a longitudinally extending wall intermediate of and approximately parallel to said side walls and connected integrally with said cross bars and terminating in spaced relation to the top wall.

2. A sealing strip according to claim 1 in which said intermediate wall at its lower edge is integrally connected with the bottom wall.

3. A sealing strip according to claim 1 in which the bottom wall is provided with two downwardly inclined portions of approximately V-shape and having their inner upper edges integrally connected with said intermediate wall.

4. A sealing strip for sealing a groove between adjacent edge faces of rigid blocks that are subject to expansion and contraction with ambient temperature variations, which comprises an elongated, tubular, integral body of elastomeric material having approximately parallel side walls with outer faces that are approximately straight,

top and bottom walls connecting with the upper :and

lower edges of said side walls,

a plurality of interior crossing and interconnected,

straight, diagonally extending cross bars,

some of said cross bars connecting said top wall with said side walls,

and other of said cross bars connecting said bottom wall with said side walls, and

said top wall extending downwardly from opposite sides toward the middle thereof,

said sealing strip having an internal substantially vertical bar connected with said bottom wall and terminating in spaced relationship to said top wall, the termination of said bar being connected by some of said cross bars with said top wall to hold said top wall from bending upwardly when said side walls are pressed toward each other.

5. A sealing strip for sealing a groove between adjacent edge faces of rigid blocks that are subject to expansion :and contraction with ambient temperature variations, which comprises an elongated, tubular, integral body of elastomeric material having approximately parallel side walls with outer faces that are approximately straight,

top and bottom walls connecting with the upper and lower edges of said side walls,

a plurality of interior crossing and interconnected,

straight, diagonally extending cross bars,

some of said cross bars connecting said top wall with said side walls,

and other of said cross bars connecting said bottom wall with said side walls, and

a longitudinally extending, intermediate wall extending upwardly from said bottom wall, the upper end of said intermediate wall being spaced apart from said top wall, said intermediate wall being arranged intermediate of said side walls, and parallel thereto and integrally connected with some of said cross bars and dividing said cross bars into two substantially independent groups.

6. A sealing strip for sealing a groove between adjacent edge faces of rigid blocks that are subject to ex pansion and contraction with ambient temperature variations, which comprises an elongated, tubular, integral body of elastomeric material having approximately parallel side walls with outer faces that are approximately straight,

top and bottom walls connecting with the upper and lower edges of said side walls,

a plurality of interior crossing and interconnected,

straight, diagonally extending cross bars,

some of said cross bars connecting said bottom wall with said side walls,

other cnoss bars connecting said top wall with said side Walls and connecting with said top wall at opposite sides of the middle thereof,

and a longitudinally extending wall intermediate of said side walls and approximately parallel thereto and intergnally connected with said bottom Wall,

the upper end of said intermediate wall being spaced firo m said top wall and integrally connected With the upper portions of said other cnoss bars for preventing upward movement of said top wall when said SlCliB walls are moved towand each other.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS CHARLES E. OCONNELL, Primary Examiner.

N. C. BYERS, Assistant Examiner. 

1. A SEALING STRIP FOR SEALING A GROOVE BETWEEN ADJACENT EDGE FACES OF RIGID BLOCKS THAT ARE SUBJECT TO EXPANSION AND CONTRACTION WITH AMBIENT TEMPERATURE VARIATIONS, WHICH COMPRISES AN ELONGATED, TUBULAR, INTEGRAL BODY OF ELASTOMERIC MATERIAL HAVING APPROXIMATELY PARALLEL SIDE WALLS WITH OUTER FACES THAT ARE APPROXIMATELY STRAIGHT, TOP AND BOTTOM WALLS CONNECTING WITH THE UPPER AND LOWER EDGES OF SAID SIDE WALLS, A PLURALITY OF INTERIOR CROSSING AND INTERCONNECTED, STRAIGHT, DIAGONALLY EXTENDING CROSS BARS, SOME OF SAID CROSS BARS CONNECTING SAID TOP WALL WITH SAID SIDE WALLS, AND OTHER OF SAID CROSS BARS CONNECTING SAID BOTTOM WALL WITH SAID SIDE WALLS, AND A LONGITUDINAL EXTENDING WALL INTERMEDIATE OF AND APPROXIMATELY PARALLEL TO SAID SIDE WALLS AND CONNECTED INTEGRALLY WITH SAID CROSS BARS AND TERMINATING IN SPACED RELATION TO THE TOP WALL. 